1950s Eyeglasses

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How amazing are these?!  Forget the current trend of black/brown rimmed nerd glasses and go for a slightly more feminine look with these.

Quote of the Day

photo copyright of redoryon, found here.

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For my birthday almost a year ago, a co-worker gave me a "gift book" for my desk from Hallmark containing various quotes from different people.  Unknown to her at the time, I was in the middle of trying to decide to quit my job and go to pastry school.  As I flipped through it, the above quote struck a chord with me.  I loved making desserts.  Absolutely loved it.  Something about the precise production of a creative dessert made me happy.  Perhaps it was the opportunity to be creative I loved.  Or maybe I loved it because of the affirmation you receive once serving a dessert - the Oohs! and Aahs! were encouraging and made me want to keep baking.  It's were I found my heart to be at that particular time and this quote told me it was time to start doing exactly that.

I have exactly three months of school left before I begin my externship and today was the first day back after winter vacation.  It felt great to be in class again, to know that I would be learning more about the thing I most want to do.  Furthermore, Chef went off into these huge tangents today in class which were actually very inspiring.  She told us how the industry has evolved and what to expect once we get out there - tons of "words of advice" that I truly appreciated and needed. 

Just this morning I woke up feeling scared about where life may be taking me (especially since I don't really know yet), but now I'm feeling a little excited.

So, remember to "do what you love, because it's what you were meant to do".

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

It seems strange to me this year to say goodbye to 2011 - it was a year of life changes that looking back required a world of courage and one giant leap of faith.  If this were last January, I would have been taking stock of IRS forms, preparing 1099s and mentally prepping myself for tax season.  Instead, I am sitting at my desk after two weeks of school vacation searching through the web for bakeries and restaurants in Austin that may peak my interest.  My boyfriend of 7 years is at his parents' home two hours away (that sometimes feels like oceans away), and tonight we will have the pleasure of spending New Year's Eve together in San Antonio with his childhood friend Phil and his precious family.

Looking back, I would have never foresaw the big changes 2011 would bring.  For almost 11 months I pondered quitting my job and going to pastry school, talking to different admissions counselors and discussing the possibility with my close friends and family.  I wanted to, but was ridiculously scared to leave my job - I would be giving up financial security by quitting, moving to a different city (still undecided at the time), and wondered if the change would strain my relationship with my boyfriend.  I began saving as much money as possible just in case and numbed my mind with the craziness of tax season.  Then in March I received a call from an admissions counselor at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin. She said they had an opening for the classes beginning in early May.  Although I wanted to go, my lease was not over and I would not have enough time to pack and find a new apartment in Austin because of the hours of work tax season required.  She did say, however, that a new set of classes would begin in early July and for some crazy reason I said, Sign me up! 

That weekend my boyfriend and I came to Austin, signed a lease with the first apartment we saw and went home to start packing.  I gave my notice in late April and my last day at work was June 10th.  My apartment complex at the time let me out of my lease a month early and on June 16th I moved to Austin to begin preparing for pastry school.  It was undoubtedly, the best decision I have made thus far.  I am still scared, though.  In April I will begin my externship and I still haven't picked a place - I worry about finding a good fit, but have faith everything will work out in the end.

All of that aside, my Dad moved to Arkansas in October to take a new job, leaving the place I had grown up.  Only one of my three brothers remain in McAllen, making it no longer feel like home.  It seems a distant memory, a place where a life was lived but could not end.  Knowing I may never go back feels as if I am surrendering my childhood, but the memories of our life there in the hot & humid land filled with palm trees 10 minutes from the Texas-Mexico border sustain me.  I honestly do not know where I will be at the end of 2012 or what job I will have, but I have faith that it will be a year filled with success and love.

May you have a wonderfully magical New Year's Eve night!

{First picture found here, second picture found here}

Christmas Time is Here!

It's officially the first of December, the beginning of the Christmas season.  Have you decorated your tree, hung your stockings, and started your holiday shopping?  I am so far behind and am hoping to do lots of it this weekend, depending on whether or not I'm still under the weather.  Hope everyone's having a great Thursday!

Ps.  Parks & Recreation definitely made me smile tonight.  I am totally crushing on Ben. :)


{picture via here}

Sick Day

I'm feeling so under the weather today.  It sucks.  But a cup of cocoa always makes everything better.

{picture via Pinterest}